Information processing apparatus and display system with simultaneous partial rewriting scanning capability

Abstract

An information processing apparatus uses an information memory for storing image information and first and second controllers for controlling the storage of image information associated with a generated graphics event into the memory based on a display request from a pointing device. In addition, image information for one frame of the display is stored into the image information memory by a first storer, and image information for a window display is stored into the image information memory by a second storer. An image transfer controller controls an image transfer from the image information memory such that when, during storing of the image information for one frame of the display, without the display request for the window display, the display request from the pointing device is generated, and the first controller controls the start of storage of image information when, during storing of the image information by the first storer, the display request of the window display and the display request from the pointing device are produced, the display request of the window display is met by the second storer for storing image information for the window display, and the display request from the pointing device is met by the second controller. A matrix electrode with scanning lines and information lines can also be provided, along with a driver for driving the matrix electrode.

We claim: 
     
       1. An information processing apparatus comprising: a) an image information memory for storing image information;   b) first means for controlling the start of storage of image information associated with a generated graphics event into said memory based on a display request from a pointing device, with reference to the position coordinate of said graphic event, thereby storing the image information into said image information memory;   c) second means for controlling the storage of the image information associated with a generated graphics event into said memory at a constant interval based on the display request from the pointing device, thereby storing the image information into said image information memory;   d) third means for storing the image information for one frame of the display into said image information memory;   e) fourth means for storing image information for a window display into said image information memory; and   f) fifth means for controlling an image transfer from said image information memory so that when, during storing of the image information by said third means, without the display request for the window display, the display request from the pointing device is generated, said first means controls the start of storage of image information when, during storing of the image information by said third means, the display request of the window display and the display request from the pointing device are produced, the display request of the window display is met by said fourth means, and the display request from the pointing device is met by said second means.   
     
     
       2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image information for the window display is for a moving image. 
     
     
       3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image information for the moving image is for a scrolling image display. 
     
     
       4. A display system comprising: a) an image information memory for storing image information;   b) first means for controlling the start of storage of image information associated with a generated graphics event into said memory based on a display request from a pointing device, with reference to the position coordinate of said graphics event, thereby storing the image information into said image information memory;   c) second means for controlling the storage of the image information associated with a generated graphics event into said memory at a constant interval based on the display request from the pointing device, thereby storing the image information into said image information memory;   d) third means for storing the image information for one frame of the display into said image information memory;   e) fourth means for storing image information for a window display into said image information memory;   f) fifth means for controlling an image transfer from said image information memory so that when, during storing of the image information by said third means, without the display request for the window display, the display request from the pointing device is generated, said first means controls the start of storage of image information while, during the storing of the image information by said third means, the display request of the window display and the display request from the pointing device are produced, the display request of the window display is met by said fourth means, and the display request from the pointing device is met by said second means;   g) a matrix electrode comprising scanning lines and information lines, with said matrix electrode being electrically connected to said image information memory and receiving image information therefrom; and   h) drive means for driving said matrix electrode.   
     
     
       5. A display system according to claim 4, comprising liquid crystal between said scanning lines and said information lines. 
     
     
       6. A display system according to claim 5, wherein said liquid crystal is ferroelectric liquid crystal. 
     
     
       7. A display system according to claim 4, wherein the image information for the window display is for a moving image. 
     
     
       8. A display system according to claim 7, wherein the image information for the moving image is for a scrolling image display.